Join Baker in Supporting Science across the globe – 28th May 2021

Introduction

Since the production of our first Biological Safety Cabinet in 1951, Baker have been #SupportingScience. Recognized as a pioneer and leading innovator, Baker maintains an unparalleled passion for helping our customer advance science, discovery and clinical care. With COVID-19 dominating the science industry for the last year, our mission to #SupportScience has never been more important. Let’s take a look at some of this month’s key findings.

1. Human Nervous System Discovery

Researchers have developed millimeter-wide 3D models that mimic vital aspects of the human nervous system. Scientists say that the models are the most natural representation of human myelination developed in a laboratory and are a promising platform for studying neurological diseases in the future.

Scientists at University of Edinburgh’s Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic and Euan MacDonald Center for Motor Neuron Disease Research developed their human myelin model using skin samples donated by volunteers. These cells were then slowly grown into organoids, otherwise known as 3D structures of cell bundles, including oligodendrocytes.

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2. Takara Bio Europe & PanCyros

Following the creation of a simplified, yet effective method of generating stem cell-derived, glucose responsive beta cells, Takara Bio Europe recently announced a licensing agreement with Denmark’s PanCryos, a pre-clinical stage biotech company.

Takara Bio, which currently flags its broad expertise in human pluripotent stem cells, including both hiPS and hES cells, claims that this deal follows an opportunity for its successful establishment of a new clinical grade hES cell line.

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3. Stroke Rehabilitation

Throughout the US, on average, someone will suffer a stroke every 40 seconds. However, a new study shows that a combination of Vagus Nerve Stimulation and rehabilitation can produce a significant improvement in arm function even years after having a stroke. The Vagus nerve is a sensory nerve but is also involved in motor function.

In order to carry out VNS, surgeons will implant a pacemaker-like device into chest, with a wire connecting it to the Vagus nerve. The generator will then stimulate the nerve with pulses of electrical current, pausing periodically.

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4. Washington University School of Medicine Clinical Trial

A study by Washington University School of Medicine, shows the beneficial effect of NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) in skeletal muscles. This was able to improve the ability of insulin to increase glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, which is often abnormal in people with obesity, prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes.

The study also found that NMN also improved the expression of genes that are involved in muscle structure and remodelling. However, despite this, the treatment was not able to lower blood glucose or blood pressure.

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5. Antibiotic Colistin Research

Discoveries by scientists at Imperial College London and the University of Texas have revealed how a ‘last resort’ antibiotic can kill bacteria. Colistin is a polymyxin antibiotic that is one of very few antibiotics that is active against some of the deadliest superbugs, which can potentially cause lethal infections in the body and bloodstream.

The research showed that this antibiotic is able to punch holes in both the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, causing them to pop like balloons. These new insights could help scientists develop more powerful and effective forms of antibiotics in the future.

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